The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-04

1t is probable that it viii soon be ascer-
tanned how much truth there is in the
charges that are continually being made of
abuses in the convict camps. The action
taken by the Governor requiring two of the
three companies which control the labor Of
the convicts under leases from the State to
show cause why their leases should not be
forfeited will afford the State an opportu-
nifty to show fully the kind of treatment the
convicts receive. The Governor has EN-
ployed able counsel to assist the Attorney
General in protecting the interests of the
State, and there is no reason to doubt that
every effort will be made to find out whether
or not there is good ground for declaring
the leases of the two companies in question
forfeited.
All preliminary questions having been
settled, the investigation will, in all
probability, begin in earnest on next Tues
day and it is the wish of every good citizen
that it shall be searching and thorough
The bottom facts are wanted. The lessees
generally deny the stories of abuses in the
convict camps which find their way into the
public prints, but, if they ever admit that
they ore true, they give such satisfactory ex-
planatiAls of the abuses that inquiries are
not often instituted The Investigations
conducted by legislative committees seldom
amount to anything, because the lessees
have great deal of political influence, and
also, because the camps are always pre-
pared for visits from committees.
Gov. Gordon has taken a deep interest
simon ba hoe baaY, Goxrarnor. oil ruact iopc
relating to the cenvicts, and his course with
respect to such questions has been such as
to justify the conclusion that it is his de-
termination to see that the convicts are
treated as the law intends they shall be. He
has no desire to see injustice done to the
lessees, but he does not propose that they
shall deal with the convicts as if they were
amenable to no law whatever.
The reports which have been sent over the
country from Atlanta have created a wide
spread impression that convicts in Georgia
are subjected to cruel, and even brutal,
treatment, and the press has commented
upon these reports in a way calculated to
injure the good name Of the State. If the
reports are without foundation they ought
to be contradieed promptly and emphati-
cally, but if they are true the lessees should
be made to suffer the consequences of their
illegal acts.
The charges which the State brings against
the lessees are numerous and grave. Whether
it will be able to sustain them remains to be
seen. If they are sustained, it is pretty GER
tain that the Governor will use the power
which he has without fear or favor There
is no reason why the convicts should be
overworked or underfed, or why they should
be lodged in filthy beds or beaten unmerci-
fully for slight offenses. The lessees have
very profitable contracts. They get the
labor of the convicts for the ex-
pense of supporting them, and if they do
not make money it is because they are poor
managers. They do make money, however,
and they should be forced to comply with
their contracts very strictly. There should
be no foundation for charges of abuses in
the convict camps. Lessees whose manage
ment of their convicts is such as to bring
the name of the State into disrepute should
have their contracts annulled at once. AS
long as the lease system, which is a very bad
one, is in force, no effort should be spared
to prevent the abuses for which it affords SO
many opportu8Aies.